Ontario place

By Edward Keenan Star Columnist Sun., Sept. 9, 2018 Let us take a moment to recall that it was John Tory — then a private citizen working for the then-provincial Liberal government — who developed the plan to remake Ontario Place. So when Premier Doug Ford puts the plan on hold, reportedly to go back to the drawing board and come up with something new, it is his old rival for the mayor’s office, once again, that he is trumping. But let’s also recall that it is called Ontario Place, after all. The provincial government owns the joint, so it’s certainly within the premier’s remit to muck it up if he likes. That’s what former premier Dalton McGuinty did when he suddenly and unexpectedly shut the place down to save $20 million a year in 2012, eliminating 48 full-time jobs and 600 summer positions in the process. And shuttering a few generations’ worth of childhood memories of adventure playgrounds, flume rides, … [Read more...] about We need to do right by Ontario Place

By Christopher Hume Urban Issues and Architecture Tues., June 27, 2017 It didn’t take long for Trillium Park to become part of the landscape of Toronto. Barely a week after opening, the new space already feels as if it’s been around forever. The fact it sits on what was once a parking lot makes its appearance that much sweeter. The problem now is the surrounding city. Located on the water’s edge at the east end of Ontario Place, Trillium Park throws the stinginess of the urban context into sharp relief. That includes Lake Shore Blvd., the highway that separates city and lake; the absence of decent north/south connections; the lack of pedestrian amenities and the green desert that lines Lake Ontario, designed, it seems, for the convenience of lawn mowers. There’s nothing new about any of this, of course, but the clash between old and new Toronto has never been harder to ignore. Apparently city officials realized this and made a point of … [Read more...] about New Toronto park at Ontario Place is a sign of hope in a sea of dreck: Hume

By The Canadian Press Fri., July 7, 2017 Ontario is calling on developers to pitch ideas for revitalizing Ontario Place and creating new public attractions on the site of the former theme park on Toronto’s waterfront. The province issued a call for submissions Friday asking developers to pitch their own innovative, futuristic plans for the west island of Ontario Place. The government put few limits on the proposals, but says public access to the site must be preserved and there can be no casinos, residential development or large-scale music events. Read more: Revitalized section of Ontario Place finally reopens New Toronto park at Ontario Place is a sign of hope in a sea of dreck: Hume Article Continued Below The land is to remain in public hands, but long-term leases will be allowed. The province closed Ontario Place to the public five years ago due to falling revenues at the government-owned theme park and tight provincial finances. Last month, the … [Read more...] about Province asks for Ontario Place development proposals — but no condos or casinos

By David Rider City Hall Bureau Chief Robert Benzie Queen's Park Bureau Chief Thu., Sept. 6, 2018 Premier Doug Ford, whose grandiose schemes for Toronto’s waterfront were thwarted when he was a city councillor and his brother was mayor, is setting his sights on redeveloping Ontario Place. Sources told the Star that Ford wants to scuttle proposals that were being considered by the previous Liberal government and start anew with an international competition to rethink the sprawling green space along Lake Shore Blvd. W. The premier, whose Progressive Conservatives toppled Kathleen Wynne’s Liberals in the June 7 election, signalled three weeks ago that changes were afoot. “Ontario Place was spectacular in the day,” Ford said at the Aug. 17 opening of the Canadian National Exhibition, which is adjacent to the provincially owned park. “I’m proud to announce we’re going to work in conjunction with the CNE, … [Read more...] about Doug Ford sets sights on Ontario Place redevelopment

The province announced plans to revive under used space on the easterly island of Ontario Place on Thursday.The 20-acre parcel of land has been deemed the “Celebration Common,” a multi-use green space to link with other sites such as the recently reopened Cinesphere and Trillium Park. The Ontario government has partnered with architectural design firm DTAH to put together the waterfront development. The business worked on Toronto’s Evergreen Brick Works, a project that revamped a former industrial site in the Don Valley into an environmentally conscious community. The emergence of more condominiums near Ontario Place prompted the province to deliver more open-air space for residents, and people in the rest of the city and beyond, said Daiene Vernile, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport.“The multi-purpose park will be Toronto’s newest waterfront attraction,” she said. … [Read more...] about Province announces new green space at Ontario Place